Abstract
Antibody diversity is first generated by rearrangement of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes during B cell development in the bone marrow, and later by antigen-driven diversification in germinal centers (GCs). New data in humans and mice now identify specific B cell populations that may have undergone antigen-independent hypermutation outside GCs.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antibodies / immunology*
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Antigen-Antibody Complex / genetics
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Antigen-Antibody Complex / immunology*
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte / genetics
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Genes, Immunoglobulin*
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Genetic Variation
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Humans
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Mice
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / genetics
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Sheep
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Species Specificity
Substances
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Antibodies
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Antigen-Antibody Complex
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell